Medial Thigh Lift

Thigh lift surgery reshapes the thighs by reducing excess skin and fat, resulting in smoother skin and better-proportioned contours of the thighs and lower body. If fitness and weight control efforts have not achieved your goals for a body that is firmer, more youthful-looking and more proportionate to your overall body image, a surgical lift may be right for you.

Who is a good candidate for thigh lift surgery?

In general, candidates for a thigh lift are:

• People whose weight is relatively stable
• Individuals with excess soft tissue along the inner (medial) thigh region and/or the outer (lateral) thigh
• Healthy individuals who do not have medical conditions that impair healing or increase risk of surgery
• Non-smokers
• Individuals with a positive outlook and realistic goals for what thigh lift surgery can accomplish
• Individuals committed to leading a healthy lifestyle, including proper nutrition and fitness
• Incision patterns vary based on the area or areas to be treated, degree of correction and patient and surgeon preference.

How It Works

Inner thigh lift incision

• One technique used for a thigh lift places incision in the groin, extending downward and wrapping around the back of the thigh.
• Another technique removes excess skin from the groin down to the knee using an incision along the inseam.
• You may also qualify for a minimal incision inner thigh lift that involves an incision only in the groin area. Your plastic surgeon will determine what’s appropriate.

Outer thigh lift incision

• Improving the contours of the outer thigh may require an incision extending from the groin around the hip and across the back.
• Advanced techniques usually allow incisions to be placed in strategic locations where they can be hidden by most types of clothing and swimsuits. However, incisions may be extensive.
• Deep sutures within underlying tissues help to form and support the newly shaped contours. Sutures, skin adhesive tapes or clips may be used to close the skin incisions.

What should I expect during my thigh lift recovery?

During your recovery from thigh lift surgery, dressings/bandages may be applied to your incisions following the procedure. Small, thin tubes may be temporarily placed under the skin to drain excess fluid or blood that may collect. You will be given specific instructions that may include:

• How to care for the surgical site(s)
• Medications to apply or take orally to aid healing
• Specific concerns to look for at the surgical site or in your general health
• When to follow up with your plastic surgeon

Results

The results of a thigh lift are visible almost immediately. However, it may take several months for the final results to fully develop. Following a thigh lift, skin quality is improved both in appearance and feel. Some visible scars will remain, but the overall results are long lasting, provided that you maintain a stable weight and general fitness. As your body ages, it is natural to lose some firmness. However, most of your initial improvement should remain.